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My first sighting is July 5, 2012 in Favorite Channel just south of Halibut Cove and very close to the shore of Shelter Island. This whale has such a unique central notch that there can be little confusion identifying it. The main notch seems ever so slightly off-center, but that may be an artifact of this not quite straight-on view coupled with the “V” shaped notch to its left that makes a prominent triangular tooth. Scattered small circular scars are a secondary character that are only visible when fairly close to the whale.
The NOAA tail site says it was first seen in June, 2004. Suzie’s site says it is “often part of bubble net feeding groups”.
The NOAA tail site says it was first seen in June, 2004. Suzie’s site says it is “often part of bubble net feeding groups”.
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I don’t find it again until July of 2014, three days in a row, when it is an active part of a bubble net group in Young Bay and South Shelter and is easily spotted with its off-center “W” notch.